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The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game special set is a real example of “all killer, no filler.” The packs are smaller — just six cards, and one is energy — but they’re all foil and there’s at least one of the 30 special Pikachu cards in each. We’ll absolutely take this approach, after years of printing one valuable card and then a wad of waste cardboard for each booster! And with reported pull rates being much more generous in Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration than in the past, that part’s nice too.
Still, it’s a premium set: it’s not easy to get outside of special boxes, and we all know how the supply situation is still going. So before you dive in, what are the best 30th Celebration cards to get?
The coolest Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration cards
There are definitely some of these! The newly introduced Futuristic Rares, along with the mega-scarce “RGB” variants, are testing out new looks for Pokemon cards. For this first Futuristic batch, we just have Mewtwo and Mew, but with the way The Pokemon Company is branding these, I’d be surprised if we don’t see more later. (We already know Pikachu’s a premium promo next month.)
You’re probably also looking to pull one of the Classic Collection cards. These gold-bordered reprints of 30 cards over the TCG’s history include, of course, Base Set Charizard. Other than that, though, this set attempts to avoid duplicating the Celebrations set’s version five years ago. You get some more interesting choices like the two-part Darkrai & Cresselia Legend and more recent powerhouses like Arceus VSTAR.
And hey, if nothing else? The new “futuristic” foil energy cards look nice!
The most interesting 30th Celebration cards
I’m amused by Alolan Exeggutor. It starts at 150 HP, but if you throw six energy on it, it grows to 400 and can maintain that with a 150-damage, 50-heal Mega Drain attack. Is that practical? Nope, of course not. But we like thinking about it. Outside of that, Yveltal prevents opponent healing? That might be more useful if you know what you’re facing.
The most meta-relevant Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration cards
This is… maybe tougher! 30th Celebration is definitely more of a collector set, and doesn’t spend a lot of its effort caring about bench utilities or Trainers. (Also the Classic Collection isn’t Standard-legal.) Jirachi ex’s one-energy Wish Granter move might help you draw up to seven in a pinch? Zoroark takes an evolution to get out, but its bench ability decreases your retreat cost by two.
But my top pick, however boring, is Mew ex. Its ability lets it use benched allies’ attacks, and we’ve seen versions of this idea on past Mew cards that have seen a lot of play. Runners-up: both Pikachu ex cards, with one filling your bench with Basics and the other attaching all the energy in your hand wherever you want.
The cutest Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration cards
If you buy Pokemon cards for cuteness, you were probably already on board with this release for its Pikachu collection. These span all the sorts of depictions we’ve seen over the years, from the correct chonky boy look to the “that’s just a Pichu” of recent times. They also use different art styles, from physical materials to extremely digital line work and gag manga style to fine art brushstrokes. They’re their own numbered set that’s fairly easy to collect, so it’s a fun little binder project.
Outside of the ‘Chu, there’s still a lot to love. My favorites include some Slowpoke hanging out in a well, Hisuian Zorua chomping on a berry toy, Drifloon living its dreams in a sky of balloons and Eevee in a field of flowers. And of course there are some great Illustration Rares like Lapras and Sylveon.
This year’s special Pokemon Trading Card Game set, 30th Celebration, is releasing this fall in waves of special boxes and collections. The first wave launched on September 16, 2026. For more information about the Pokemon TCG, check out our archive.
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